CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavaliers are sending Isaiah Thomas to the Los Angeles Lakers for Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr., multiple league sources told cleveland.com, in a move that is in part a signal to LeBron James of the organization's hopes of keeping him.

The Cavs are also including Channing Frye and their own first-round pick in the trade. This means they are not moving the Brooklyn pick.

Thomas was the marquee player Cleveland received in return for Kyrie Irving in a blockbuster trade last summer, in a deal that also included Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and two draft picks coming over from Boston (the Brooklyn 2018 first rounder among them).

But Thomas' time on the court with the Cavs proved disastrous. He missed the first 36 games recovering from right hip injuries, and when he returned it was clear he wasn't yet the player he used to be, lacking the quickness and leg strength to take defenders off the dribble and knock down shots.

The Cavs went 6-8 in January and are 7-10 since Thomas took the court. Thomas averaged 14.7 points and shot career worsts from the field (.361) and 3-point range (25.3 percent).

Cleveland was outscored by an average of 15.1 points per 100 possessions with him on the court.

"He's worked too hard to get back, and he's a ball dominant player," said Thomas' agent, Aaron Goodwin. "It's LeBron's ball, and this clearly wasn't working. Koby (Altman) and I have had enough conversations where it was clear, with the way the system was going, it wasn't beneficial for either party. This is a good opportunity for Isaiah."

Goodwin said Thomas did not ask to be traded. On Wednesday, Thomas said he didn't want to be traded, but also that he wanted to play "where I'm wanted."

Thomas also angered teammates and coaches with his public and private criticisms while he struggled personally. His most recent blast -- a suggestion after Tuesday's loss to Orlando that the Cavs' coaching staff didn't make enough in-game adjustments this season.

In his last game with the Cavs, a 140-138 win in overtime over Minnesota on his 29th birthday Wednesday, Thomas scored 13 points and contributed seven assists. The 5-9 point guard is a two-time All-Star and was an All-NBA selection last year with the Celtics.

This is the fourth time Thomas has been traded.

By trading for Clarkson, a 25-year-old shooting guard who's averaging 14.3 points per game for the Lakers, the Cavs are adding new money. Clarkson has two years and roughly $26 million left on his contract.

James was looking to see if Gilbert would remain committed to spending what it took to win, and James also felt trading Thomas for Irving was a mistake.